European People’s Party demands Cuba respect basic freedoms

Havana, Cuba, Feb 6, 2013 / 04:05 pm (CNA).- A major European political party has approved a series of resolutions calling on Cuba to end violations of basic rights such as conscience and political expression.

The Christian Liberation Movement, a peaceful dissident group in Cuba, explained during its recent general assembly that the European People’s Party has issued a strong call to the Cuban regime to respect freedom of expression and association.

The party also demanded the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Cuba.

In addition, the oppression of peaceful protestors who seek democratic change in the country must come to an end, it said, and the Communist regime must respect the right of all Cubans to travel freely.

The party also paid homage to the founder of the Christian Liberation Movement, Oswaldo Paya, and to dissident Harold Cepero, who were both killed in a traffic accident in Cuba last July. An independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths has yet to be carried out.

The European People’s Party further voiced concern about the situation facing refugees fleeing from the violence in Syria. It also adopted an emergency resolution in support of a United Nations’ call for an end to violence in Mali.